Topiary Panther MTG Card

Topiary Panther offers dual utility as both a creature and a land, enhancing card efficiency. It can empower strategies through resource acceleration and its transformational capacity. However, it asks for precise mana and a discard, which may affect deck synergy.

Topiary Panther - Murders at Karlov Manor

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Plant Cat
Abilities	Basic landcycling,Cycling,Landcycling,Trample
Released	2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set name	Murders at Karlov Manor
Set code	MKM
Power	6
Toughness	5
Number	179
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Xabi Gaztelua

Text of card

Trample Basic landcycling (, Discard this card: Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)

The gardens around Karlov Manor are oddly bereft of birdsong.

Cards like Topiary Panther

Topiary Panther is part of an ever-growing collection of creature cards with transformative features in Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparison with other shape-shifting entities such as Oko’s Hospitality, which also offers a dual nature of sorts. While Oko’s Hospitality can’t become a creature, it does transform noncreature tokens with a power and toughness alteration. Topiary Panther, in contrast, begins its life as an enchantment and can later morph into a creature, providing versatility.

Another card worth noting is Guardian Idol. It parallels the potential of Topiary Panther to switch between a noncreature state and a creature form. Though Guardian Idol flips from an artifact to a creature rather than an enchantment to a creature, it similarly offers adaptability on the battlefield. However, unlike Topiary Panther, the Idol lacks the natural synergy with enchantment-focused strategies.

Evaluating these comparisons highlights Topiary Panther’s unique blend of early game enchantment benefits and late game creature utility. This adaptability positions the Topiary Panther favorably among MTG cards that flex between forms, catering to players who appreciate strategic shape-shifting in their game plan.

Cards similar to Topiary Panther by color, type and mana cost

Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions

Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions

Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions

Silvos, Rogue Elemental - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Topiary Panther. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Event
Decklist	Free form	86#CS
Golgari Mill	Free form	Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
Five-color Midrange	Free form	Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
Sealed Deck	Limited	Murders At Karlov Mansion Pre-release

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Topiary Panther card presents a subtle version of card advantage by virtue of its adaptability on the battlefield. Possessing the ability to transform from a creature spell into a land offers players a distinct way to maximize the utility of each card in their hand.

Resource Acceleration: This versatile feline accelerates your resources by morphing into a land when necessary, ensuring that mana is available when you most need it to deploy your strategies effectively and keep pace with the game’s demands.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the Topiary Panther can be bounced back to your hand at instant speed under certain conditions, giving you the strategic edge of flexibility and surprise, much like the instant speed spells that can shift the tide of a match in mere moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Topiary Panther prompts a drawback for players in a form of a discard requirement, potentially depleting valuable hand assets in the exchange for its presence on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The summoning of Topiary Panther demands a precise mana arrangement that could hinder deck flexibility, making it a less versatile pick for a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning on the higher side, players may find that the Topiary Panther competes with other creatures or spells that provide higher utility or impact within the same cost range, thereby questioning its value in a tightly curated deck.

Reasons to Include Topiary Panther in Your Collection

Versatility: Topiary Panther brings flexibility to any deck with its changeling ability, taking on any creature type you need. This allows it to blend seamlessly into tribal strategies, enhance type-specific buffs, or simply fill gaps in your creature lineup.

Combo Potential: As a creature with consistent potential for synergy, this card can become a linchpin in combos, particularly those involving creature type triggers or requirements. Its adaptability makes it a catalyst in an array of powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to adapt to various types of decks, Topiary Panther proves its worth in numerous meta scenarios. Its utilitarian nature enables it to combat or complement a variety of threats and strategies, ensuring its place in many competitive environments.

How to beat Topiary Panther

Encountering the Topiary Panther on the battlefield can be a challenge due to its versatility as a creature in MTG. Its adaptability, assuming the role of either an enchantment or a creature when needed, can surprise players who are unprepared. To effectively counter this card, it is essential to have removal that targets both enchantments and creatures at your disposal.

Cards like Abrade offer the flexibility needed as they can destroy an artifact or deal damage to a creature, whereas Disenchant strictly targets artifacts and enchantments, making it an excellent choice if the panther is still an enchantment. It’s also valuable to keep the board clear of multiple creatures, as the Topiary Panther gets tougher to deal with when it’s bolstered by other creatures or enchantments.

Playing around Topiary Panther’s modal nature calls for strategic planning. Holding back on casting removal until the opponent commits to a creature form can disrupt their game plan, forcing them to lose momentum. By anticipating its transformation and responding accordingly, one can maintain control of the game and diminish the impact of the Topiary Panther’s dual nature.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Topiary Panther MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Topiary Panther and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Topiary Panther has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Standardbrawl	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal